One Of The Cool Gifts

One of the Cool Gifts

Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

Scrolling social media as I sipped my morning coffee, I noticed a friend’s post and felt prompted to pray for her. As the morning continued, I went about my tasks, but she remained in the back of my mind. So, I dashed off a quick message to her. In it, I told her how much her encouraging nature and ability to connect with others had inspired me and how I was trying to become more intentional in the words I spoke to others because of her influence.

Not long after, she messaged me back to tell me that my impromptu note had arrived at just the right time and had brought her to tears. Two weeks earlier, on a day she was home by herself, she had spent some of her time alone questioning Jesus. She asked him why she hadn’t received one of the “cool gifts,” why she wasn’t someone or something more exciting. While her family was out running errands, she sat on her couch for two hours, tearfully asking Jesus to make her something more than “nice.”

Although she did eventually dust herself off and remind herself that God uses our gifts and talents in unique ways and that someone needs what she has to offer, it took her a while to recover.

“Thank you for making me feel like I got one of the cool gifts,” she said. “This really means so much to me.”

I love how God uses us for his purposes—at just the right time. The words I wrote to her were kind and honest, and though I didn’t think they were earth-shattering, they offered hope on a hard day. They confirmed her uniqueness and the fact that she was impacting others (like me) with her life.

When we obey the prompts of God to speak encouraging words to a loved one, drop off coffee for a friend, or tell someone we are praying for them, God can use us to accomplish his aims. As friends, may we always be open to fulfilling the gentle nudges of the Holy Spirit. I couldn’t have known how my words would resonate with my friend—but God did. He knew exactly what she needed to hear.

— Kristin

— Today’s Act of Friendship —

Send a friend an encouraging note, letting them know something you appreciate about them.